“Comedy Darbar” episode at centre of censorship controversy

Prime Television says it inserted beep sounds after a verbal caution from the Press Council, while artists accuse state institutions of undermining freedom of expression.

Nepal’s comedy show “Comedy Darbar”, broadcast weekly on Prime Television HD, has become embroiled in a censorship controversy after repeated audio bleeps were inserted into a recent episode featuring lawmakers from the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), prompting criticism over restrictions on artistic expression.